The shop owner who murdered schoolgirl Paige Doherty in a frenzied knife attack has had his sentence reduced. John Leathem, 32, will now serve at least 23 years in prison, down from an original minimum term of 27 years.
Leathem stabbed the 15-year-old 61 times after she stopped at his delicatessen in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, in March. He admitted the murder, claiming he 'panicked' after Paige threatened to report him for sexual assault when she applied for a job.
His lawyers argued that Leathem had left the body where it could easily be discovered, unlike in the case of Alexander Pacteau, who murdered student Karen Buckley. The judges in Edinburgh agreed, reducing the minimum term, noting Leathem was a family man of previous good character who showed remorse and the murder was not premeditated.
Paige's family expressed heartbreak, stating: 'There is no words to describe how we feel. In 23 years her killer will walk the streets.'
